Illinois Donor Diaries – Chapter 39 – Inspired

June 30, 2010

My name is Audriana and on June 6, 2010, I decided to register to become a donor. I was watching a series on TV called Three Rivers and saw a particular episode that touched me. The episode was called Win-Loss. What touched me was that there was this man that needed a double-lung transplant and a person who had died that wanted to be an organ and tissue donor.  The person’s family was having a dispute about whether she should become an organ donor. What got me was that it was too late by the time they got the lungs to the hospital because unfortunately the patient that needed the lung transplant had died. Ultimately there was another patient that received the donated heart, but so much more could have been done if she had been a registered organ and tissue donor.

I want to be able to give life at the end when my time comes because I know just as easily that I could be the one needing a transplant someday. I want to be the hope for somebody who needs a transplant someday. I know it might sound silly that a television show inspired me to do this but really I just want to help others.

Don’t wait until the next Three Rivers episode to register, join the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry today!

-Audriana
Crystal Lake, Illinois

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The Stanley Cup Visits Children’s Hospital, 1,001st Transplant Patient

June 21, 2010

Blackhawk's coach Quenneville shares the Stanley Cup with Ella. (photo from Children's Facebook Page)

A surprise visit from the Stanley Cup brightened patients’ day at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Since the Blackhawks won the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship earlier in the month, the team and trophy have been making numerous public appearances to celebrate the success. Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville organized the hospital appearance and accompanied the trophy while meeting with patients.

Nine-year-old Ella Hafenrichter was one of the lucky patients who got to see the trophy up close. Ella became the hospital’s 1,0001st transplant patient when she received a new kidney.

Congrats to the Blackhawks and kudos for sharing the celebration with these patients!

-Nick

Click here for a video of the visit.

The Chicago Sun-Times also wrote about the visit.

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Supporters Motivate Others with Letters to the Editors

June 14, 2010

Over the weekend, two powerful letters to the editors we’re printed in Illinois newspapers. When messages of support, like these letters, are read by residents unaffected by organ/tissue donation, my hope is that they decide to register. Maybe the reader was undecided on the issue. Maybe the reader wondered if others were registering. Maybe a reader didn’t think being a donor had that much of an impact. After reading the letters shared by Cathie and Kathleen, I’m sure many readers changed their mind about the issue and, best yet, registered that day. Thanks for sharing!

-Nick

You Can’t Take It With You

June 13

SouthtownStar

Are You an Ordinary Hero?

June 12

Suburban Journals

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